Elmer Rossi walked into the Ointment shop one cloudy morning with his briefcase under his arm. Elmer was the Chairman of the Chinatown Businessmen's Association.
Strange it was to have a short fat Italian for the association's chairman. Elmer lived in a small apartment over the Olive Oil Imports company on S. Wessel St. Unmarried he lived there alone, just him, the TV and his association's books.
On this day Mister Wong the retired manager of a bank in Tiawan met the saleman at the front door.
"Morning, whatever your selling we have enough, thank you and good bye," said Mister Wong to Elmer.
Oh but Elmer had been brushed off so many times before he just stood his ground and began to talk. "A nice day isn't it! said Elmer.
Mister Wong looked past Elmer at the dark gray clouds and just smiled.
"I represent the Chinatown Businessmen's Association, we are planning a special sidewalk sale for a week from this coming Friday. The Association was of hopes that your shop would particapate?" asked Elmer.
In a minute the shop owner came to stand aside Mister Wong as both men listened to Elmer ramble.
Elmer knew that if he were to break the ice with these men he should show some interest in their shop and products. So as he told part of his life's story he looked about at the shelves filled with old Mason jars.
I was Mister Wong who had the scowl on his face that first asked Elmer if he was feeling alright today. "You look a bit pale, maybe you need some tonic for your condition?"
Elmer looked in a mirror near the center of the shop. Peering through fat sqinted eyes he thought he might be a little pale too.
Mister Wong disappeared for a moment and then came back with an old Coke bottle stopped up with a cork. "Sample of Tonic, you take before bed one spoonful till feeling your new self!" said Mister Wong.
Elmer took the bottle and looking at the red liquid he thanked the two men and walked out of the shop.
"What you give away our profits?" asked the shop owner.
Mister Wong smiled, "He soon feel new self, maybe come work here too, we need some security!"
A week passed by as dozens of tourists had visited the alley and shopped for remedies for friends, family, and their own ailments. It was then a phone call from Elmer was on the answering service.
"This is Elmer Rossi and I would love to come to your shop today but I've come down with a bad case of the flu. I appreciate your interest in my continued good health and wonder if someone could deliver me another bottle of that Tonic?"
Mister Wong hearing the call smiled and went to work on Elmer's refill.